QUEZON CITY – In a pulse-pounding semifinal showdown that had the Smart Araneta Coliseum erupting like a New Year’s Eve countdown, Kevin Quiambao’s De La Salle University Green Archers pulled off a stunning 78-73 upset over the defending champions National University Bulldogs on Sunday, December 7, 2025, keeping their UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball title dreams firmly on life support. The victory, fueled by a fourth-quarter explosion from reigning MVP Quiambao and timely daggers from transferee CJ Austria, evens the best-of-three series at 1-1 and sets up a decisive Game 3 on Wednesday – a do-or-die dance where La Salle’s resilience clashes with NU’s championship grit.
The game was a masterpiece of momentum swings, with NU – led by Robert “BB” Bolick’s 22-point masterclass – seizing a 38-30 halftime edge behind a suffocating defense that held La Salle to a dismal 25% from the field in the first half. But the Archers, down but never out, flipped the script in the second half, unleashing a 22-10 third-quarter blitz capped by Quiambao’s steal-and-slam that ignited the green-clad faithful. “We knew we had to fight back – this is our house, our heart,” Quiambao roared post-game, his 28 points (including 12 in the final frame) and 10 rebounds earning him Player of the Game honors. Austria, the California import whose smooth stroke has been La Salle’s X-factor, drained four triples en route to 18 points, his ice-cold 3-pointer with 1:45 left sealing the deal at 76-71.
For NU, it was a bitter pill after their 88-74 Game 1 rout, with Bolick’s heroics – including a dagger three that had the Bulldogs dreaming of a sweep – not enough to stem La Salle’s surge. Coach Jeff Napa, his voice thick with frustration, tipped his cap: “Give credit to La Salle; they came out swinging when we thought we had them. We got complacent, and it cost us. Game 3 is ours to take back.” NU’s bigs, including John Lloyd Clemente with 12 points, faltered under La Salle’s physicality, shooting just 38% from the floor as the Archers clawed 12 offensive boards for second-chance poetry.
La Salle coach Topex Robinson, ever the philosopher, channeled the upset’s essence: “This win isn’t luck – it’s legacy. Our kids believed when doubt crept in, and that’s the fire that fuels champions.” The Archers, now 2-1 in the Final Four after dropping the opener, ride a wave of momentum from their 14-4 elimination-round romp, but NU’s pedigree – back-to-back champs since 2023 – makes the decider a cauldron of pressure.
With the UAAP crown on the line and a nation of hoop heads holding its breath, Game 3 at Araneta on December 10 promises to be the thriller of the tournament: Archers chasing a third straight title shot, or Bulldogs defending their dynasty? One thing’s certain – in this semifinal symphony, the final note will resonate for generations.
Game Highlights Snapshot:
| Team | Score | Key Stats |
|---|---|---|
| DLSU | 78 | Quiambao: 28pts/10rebs; Austria: 18pts/4-7 3PT |
| NU | 73 | Bolick: 22pts/5assts; Clemente: 12pts/8rebs |